Church Of St Luke

The Church of St Luke, located on Ramsden Road, is a Grade II* listed building designed by F W Hunt in 1883, inspired by Italian Romanesque basilicas. The structure features a red brick exterior with minimal stone detailing, tiled roofs, and a copper spire. The east wall of the nave is partially obscured by the apsidal chancel, while the west wall is similarly blocked by the apsidal baptistery. A prominent north-west entrance tower adds to the asymmetrical design.

The baptistery showcases three recessed panels between lesenes, each with triplet lancet windows. Above these panels, oversailing courses of alternating projecting headers create a decorative eaves cornice beneath the conical slate roof. The apse mirrors this design but includes five panels with tripartite labels framing the lancets. The nave bays are defined by panels with single lancets, while the chancel features a coupled lancet. The west end is highlighted by a triplet of lancets set in triple-stepped arches, accompanied by a smaller lancet in the gable, all framed by lesenes and corbel tables.

The entrance tower includes a door with a triple-stepped arch and a foliated tympanum that frames a Celtic cross. The lower stages of the tower are adorned with lesenes and a corbel table, while the third stage features twin lancets and oversailing courses, culminating in a belfry with tripartite arcades supported by coupled colonnettes. The square spire, topped with a gilt cross, rises from a richly machicolated parapet.

Inside, the red brick walls are complemented by arcades with pointed arches that spring from stiffleaf capitals on stone piers. Notable interior features include an alabaster and marble pulpit from 1890, a chancel wall from 1894, and a lantern from 1901, all crafted by 4 White. The tester, sedilia, stalls, and bishop's throne were designed by Harry Hems, while the apse mosaic and stained glass were created by Powell. The striking metal electroliers, installed in 1903, enhance the interior, and the south chapel was fitted by Martin Travers.